A novel microwave-assisted carbothermic route for the production of copper-carbon nanotube metal matrix composites directly from copper oxide

Cu₂O was reduced to copper via a microwave-assisted carbothermic route using multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as the carbon source. The reaction atmosphere as well as the degree of mixing of Cu₂O and MWCNTs was varied, and the resulting products were characterized as a function of microwave exposure time. Irradiation of thoroughly mixed Cu₂O and MWCNTs under argon for 45 s produced Cu-MWCNT composites with high MWCNT loading and high hardness. This new approach for fabricating carbon nanotube-reinforced metal matrix composites eliminates many of the challenges associated with traditional methods while requiring a fraction of the time and energy.